Sunlight filtering through a dense green forest canopy, with warm golden rays cutting across deep emerald foliage and a soft atmospheric haze.

Project News & Announcements

Updates on project phases, competition results, and evaluation surveys from the 2014–2015 academic year.

Latest Updates

  • February 17, 2015

    Final Call for Feedback Survey Participation

    All participating teachers were invited to complete the project feedback survey. The survey gathered insights on classroom implementation, materials, and the Moodle platform experience. Responses helped shape the future direction of the Going Green initiative. The survey closed on February 28, 2015.

  • December 16, 2014

    Going Green Finale — Feedback and Evaluation

    The project finale brought together participating schools for a wrap-up event that celebrated student work and gathered teacher feedback. Discussions focused on the blended-learning approach and intercultural collaboration between German and U.S. classrooms.

  • December 2014

    The Winners of the Going Green 2014 Competition

    After weeks of project work and presentations, the competition winners were announced. Student teams from across Germany submitted green-action projects developed during the fall 2014 term.

    First Prize — Goethe Gymnasium Goes Green

    Goethe Gymnasium earned top honors for their outstanding sustainability project. Their work exemplified the project's goals of combining English-language learning with real-world environmental action.

  • November 19, 2014

    Last Project Week Before Competition

    As the 2014 competition deadline approached, classrooms across Germany and the United States finalized their green projects on the Moodle platform. Teachers reported strong student engagement with the sustainability themes and the collaborative bi-national format.

Project Timeline at a Glance

The 2014/15 project phase launched in early August 2014 and ran through mid-November 2014, culminating in a student conference in early December. The Going Green teaching materials had been tested earlier that year in a nationwide pilot project across Germany.

In January 2015, a project group from Dalton-Gymnasium received the RWE Climate Protection Award for their environmental work connected to the Going Green framework. Starting in September 2015, the project continued under a new platform at teachaboutUS.org.

For more context and background, visit the project blog or explore learning resources.

The Going Green project brings together German and American learners in a unique blended-learning environment, using digital platforms to connect classrooms across the Atlantic. Participants explore sustainability and environmental themes through collaborative activities, discussions, and hands-on projects. The program encourages students to deepen their understanding of global issues while building cross-cultural communication skills. By combining online exchanges with in-person classroom work, the initiative creates a dynamic educational experience that goes beyond traditional subject boundaries. Teachers and students alike benefit from the rich exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and the chance to engage with real-world challenges in a meaningful, cooperative setting.

Throughout the project timeline, participating schools pilot tested teaching materials that were developed collaboratively by an international team of educators and practitioners. These resources were refined through nationwide classroom testing before being made available to partner schools. The project framework supports both English as a Foreign Language and Content and Language Integrated Learning approaches, making it adaptable for various educational contexts. Student groups have been recognized for their environmental initiatives, demonstrating the real-world impact of the program. The ongoing evolution of the project reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and responsive curriculum design that meets the needs of modern learners.

The partnership is supported by a diverse network of contributors including academic institutions, cultural organizations, and embassy-level cooperation. This broad base of support ensures that the project maintains high standards of educational quality and cultural authenticity. The warm, inviting design of the project's online presence reflects its inclusive and collaborative spirit, using clean typography and generous spacing to make content accessible and engaging. Schools are encouraged to deepen their partnerships beyond the initial exchange, fostering lasting connections that extend the learning experience. The project serves as a model for international educational cooperation in the field of sustainability.